Retail industry

Mr Byers should be thanked for trying to save our railways

Article Abstract:

UK Secretary of State for Transport Stephen Byers is facing allegations of deception with regard to his handling of Railtrack. In fact, he should be congratulated for having the courage to tackle a privatized monopoly that was proving extremely expensive for taxpayers.

Mr Prescott's huffing and puffing won't fix his train set

Article Abstract:

UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is clearly strongly committed to improving public transport. This is why he is set to be very critical of the performance of the privatized railways at the Rail Summit to take place on Feb 25, 1999. However, he should be aware that merely expressing anger will not improve public transport. Stricter regulation of the privatized railways may prove counterproductive, as railway operators will be unwilling to invest more if they risk losing their contract. Other possible approaches, such as public ownership, also have some disadvantages.

Not their natural stance, but Straw and Byers are doing the right thing

Article Abstract:

UK government ministers Jack Straw and Stephen Byers have indicated in their decisions not to send General Augusto Pinochet back to Chile and not to allow Rupert Murdoch to take control of Manchester United football club that they are capable of adopting a progressive stance. They have made a clear break with the previous Conservative administration, which would have sent Pinochet back to Chile a long time ago and allowed Murdoch to buy Manchester United. However, neither decision can be interpreted as an indication that the government's consensual Third Way will now be replaced.